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Summary

The information you need to make informed decisions about whether to pursue psychology as a major and career is found in this handbook--as are useful tips that will help you succeed in their psychology course. The first chapter introduces you to the scope of psychology and the subspecialties within psychology. Subsequent chapters help you assess your skills, abilities, and interests. Career opportunities are presented so you can decide whether psychology is an appropriate major for you.

Author Biography

Tara L. Kuther is an assistant professor of developmental psychology at Western Connecticut State University, where she teaches courses in child, adolescent, and adult development

Table of Contents

Preface

xix

Acknowledgments

xxi

Dear Student

xxii

Chapter 1 What Is Psychology?

1

(12)

Chapter Guide

1

(1)

The Scope of Psychology

2

(5)

Clinical Psychology

3

(1)

Counseling Psychology

4

(1)

Developmental Psychology

4

(1)

Educational Psychology

4

(1)

Experimental Psychology

5

(1)

Forensic Psychology

5

(1)

Health Psychology

5

(1)

Human Factors Psychology

5

(1)

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

6

(1)

Neuropsychology

6

(1)

Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology

6

(1)

Social Psychology

6

(1)

School Psychology

7

(1)

Differences Among Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, and Counselors

7

(1)

Psychologist

7

(1)

Psychiatrist

8

(1)

Social Worker

8

(1)

Counselor

8

(1)

Ethics in Psychology

8

(1)

Overview of The Psychology Major's Handbook

9

(2)

Exercise 1.1: Psychology in the Media

10

(1)

Exercise 1.2: Internet Scavenger Hunt

10

(1)

Suggested Readings

11

(1)

Web Resources

11

(1)

American Psychological Association

11

(1)

About Psychology

11

(1)

Psychology: Scientific Problem Solvers...Carvers for the 21st Century

11

(1)

Psych Web

12

(1)

Classics in the History of Psychology

12

(1)

Psi Chi: The National Honor Society in Psychology

12

(1)

Chapter 2 Choosing a Major: Is Psychology for You?

13

(18)

Chapter Guide

13

(1)

Writing and Self-Awareness

14

(2)

Why Write?

15

(1)

Starting a Journal

16

(1)

What Should You Write About?

16

(1)

When Should You Write?

17

(1)

Self-Assessment

17

(10)

Assess Your Personality and Attitudinal Traits

18

(5)

Exercise 2.1: Assessing Your Personality Traits

18

(5)

Assess Your Skills and Abilities

23

(1)

Exercise 2.2: Assess Your Skills

23

(1)

Assess Your Interests

24

(1)

Values

25

(1)

Putting It All Together

25

(3)

CHECKLIST 2.1: Steps in Choosing a Major

26

(1)

Deciding on Psychology

27

(1)

Suggested Readings

28

(1)

Web Resources

28

(1)

Career Assessment

28

(1)

Self-Directed Search

28

(1)

About Web Logs

28

(1)

Writing the Journey

29

(1)

Career Key

29

(1)

Journal Exercises

29

(2)

My Questions

29

(1)

Journal Reflection

29

(1)

Life's Pleasures

29

(1)

Why College?

30

(1)

Chapter 3 Take an Active Role in Your Education

31

(26)

Chapter Guide

31

(1)

Consider Your Goal: What Are You Really Learning in College?

32

(4)

Communication Skills

32

(1)

Reading Skills

33

(1)

Listening and Note-Taking Skills

33

(1)

Memory, Critical Thinking, and Problem-Solving Skills

33

(1)

Organizational and Time Management Skills

34

(1)

Self-Management Skills

34

(1)

Technology Skills

35

(1)

Develop Professional Relationships with Faculty

36

(7)

Why?

36

(3)

Quiz 3.1: Do You Display Appropriate In- and Out-of-Class Behavior?

36

(2)

CHECKLIST 3.1: What Not to Do: Behaviors That Most Faculty Abhor

38

(1)

Your Academic Advisor

39

(1)

CHECKLIST 3.2: Advising Checklist

39

(1)

The Importance of a Mentor

40

(3)

CHECKLIST 3.3: Choosing an Effective Mentor

42

(1)

Active Learning Outside the Classroom

43

(11)

Research Experience

43

(9)

CHECKLIST 3.4: Checklist for Preparing Effective Paper Presentations

46

(1)

CHECKLIST 3.5: Tips for Preparing Effective Poster Presentations

47

(5)

Field Experience: Internships and Practica

52

(1)

Involvement in Organizations

53

(1)

Suggested Readings

54

(1)

Web Resources

55

(1)

Academic Skills Center

55

(1)

Psi Chi

55

(1)

Becoming an Active Learner

55

(1)

Journal Exercises

55

(2)

My Advisor

55

(1)

Relationships With Faculty

56

(1)

Finding a Mentor

56

(1)

My College Career

56

(1)

Chapter 4 Study Tips: Tools for Academic Success

57

(25)

Chapter Guide

57

(2)

Self-Awareness: The Key to Success

59

(2)

Exercise 4.1: Study Skills Assessment

59

(2)

Time Management

61

(6)

Quiz 4.1: Time Management Quiz

61

(1)

Benefits of Time Management

62

(2)

Take Control of Your Time

64

(3)

Reading: Tips for Improving Comprehension and Efficiency

67

(3)

Preview the Text

67

(1)

SQ3R Method

68

(1)

Additional Tips

69

(1)

Getting the Most Out of Lectures: Note-Taking Tips

70

(2)

Be Selective

70

(1)

Determine the Main Points

70

(1)

Prepare for Listening and Learning

71

(1)

Mechanics of Note Taking

71

(1)

Study Tips

72

(4)

Study Environment

72

(2)

Quiz 4.2: Study Environment Quiz

73

(1)

Get Organized

74

(1)

Prepare for Tests

74

(2)

Test-Taking Tips

76

(3)

Preview Your Test: Read Everything

76

(1)

Multiple-Choice Tests

76

(1)

Essay Tests

77

(1)

General Suggestions

78

(1)

Learn From Returned Tests

79

(1)

Suggested Readings

79

(1)

Web Resources

80

(1)

Study Tips

80

(1)

Interactive Study Tips

80

(1)

How to Study

80

(1)

Learning Strategies: Maximizing Your Academic Experience

80

(1)

Journal Exercises

80

(2)

I'm at My Best When...

80

(1)

Analyzing My Time

81

(1)

Ideal Day

81

(1)

Evaluating Time Management Strategies

81

(1)

Chapter 5 Writing a Literature Review

82

(24)

Chapter Guide

82

(1)

What Is a Literature Review?

83

(1)

Selecting a Topic

84

(9)

Where to Look for Topics

84

(3)

Begin Reading Now

87

(3)

Choose an Interesting Topic

90

(1)

Choose an Appropriate Match to Your Abilities

91

(1)

Narrow Your Topic

91

(2)

Exercise 5.1: Using PsychINFO

92

(1)

Reading

93

(3)

Define Your Purpose

93

(1)

Hints on Reading

94

(2)

Recording Your Research: Take Notes

96

(4)

How to Take Notes

96

(1)

Avoid Plagiarism

97

(3)

Exercise 5.2: Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism

99

(1)

Writing Your Paper

100

(4)

Organize Your Ideas

100

(1)

Prepare an Outline

100

(1)

Write

101

(1)

Revise

102

(2)

CHECKLIST 5.1: Literature Review Checklist

103

(1)

Suggested Readings

104

(1)

Web Resources

104

(1)

Writing in Psychology

104

(1)

Writing a Review Article for Psychological Bulletin

104

(1)

Writing a Psychology Literature Review

104

(1)

PsycINFO Guide

104

(1)

Plagiarism Tutorial

104

(1)

What Is Plagiarism?

105

(1)

Journal Exercises

105

(1)

How I Feel About Writing

105

(1)

What I Like to Write

105

(1)

My Habits

105

(1)

Chapter 6 Writing an Empirical Paper

106

(18)

Chapter Guide

106

(1)

APA Style: The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association